Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers and oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments are provided. In general, a surgical device can include one or more actuation shafts configured to facilitate actuation of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can include four actuation shafts, two actuation shafts to facilitate articulation of the device, one actuation shaft to facilitate opening and closing of jaws at a distal end of the device, and one actuation shaft to facilitate moving a cutting element of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more actuation shafts can include a distal elongate member and a proximal elongate member having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the distal elongate member. The proximal elongate member can be rigid, and the distal elongate member can be flexible.

Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers and oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system can include a cassette which is a single use disposable component used to store liquid N2O4 activate upon operator demand, convert N2O4 to NO2 via a heating element(s) controlled by a console to deliver NO2 at a controlled flow rate, direct concentrated NO2 to a contained pair of conversion cartridges and exhaust NO gas to the console for delivery to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying a cassette tape player and a plurality of cassette tapes on the body of a person includes a belt which is secured about the body of the person; a tape player holder which holds a cassette tape player; three male snap elements in a triangular configuration mounted on the belt and three female snap elements mounted on the tape player holder for engagement with the male snap elements to secure the tape player holder on the belt at the left or right hip area; a plurality of cassette tape holders, each adapted to hold a cassette tape; a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced male snap elements mounted on the belt and two vertically spaced female snap elements mounted on each cassette tape holder for engagement with selected ones of the male snap elements to releasably secure each cassette tape holder at a selected one of a plurality of different positions on the belt. The tape player holder can take one of three different forms.